Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com
Find Denver news, Colorado news, Colorado weather forecasts and sports reports including Denver Broncos at CBSDenver.com.Mon, 19 Mar 2018 14:10:54 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/1358cb67b88b4ef2e59895070c511d70?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngMother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com
Conception Calculator: How to Estimate the Date You Were Conceived—And What Was Happening 9 Months Priorhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/23/calculate-conception-date/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/23/calculate-conception-date/#respondTue, 23 May 2017 12:35:13 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1569613It's always both a fun and odd exercise to imagine what your parents were doing, in a broad sense, nine months before you born. Remember, it is roughly 266 days between conception and birth, on average.]]>

By Sam McPherson

We have all been there in our conversations with family and friends, thinking about birthdays and why we have them when we do. Many children have September birthdays, according to data sets from 1973-2014, while very few children have birthdays around Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, as well as other holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Better Birth Plans

Many couples plan the birth of their child as much as they can, with modern science at their disposal. More than ever, we can potentially even choose now when we want our children to celebrate their birthdays, thanks to modern medicine. However, not all pregnancies are planned this way, and that leaves us with some fun conjecture about just what our parents were doing nine months before our birth dates.

December Holidays Lead To September Birthdays

In the most recent data set from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (1994-2003) and the U.S. Social Security Administration (2004-2014), for example, the fourth-most common birthday in the United States is Sept. 17, which puts the conception date roughly on Christmas Day. It’s fun—or scary?—to imagine couples doing their thing together after opening presents under the tree.

Likewise, Sept. 16 is the ninth-most frequent birthday in America, with a projected conception date of Dec. 24. It’s easy to see how a little egg nog might have gotten a lot of parents “in the mood” on Christmas Eve, resulting in a baby delivery 266 days later in the middle of September. We can imagine the same with the conception dates of Dec. 31 and Jan. 1—and their respective birth dates of Sept. 23 (14th overall) and Sept. 24 (17th) in proper context.

Does Valentine’s Day Create a Baby Boom 9 Months Later?

Surprisingly, the conception date of Feb. 14 comes in at just the 120th most-common birthday (Nov. 7). However, due to the range of delivery dates, this isn’t concretely accurate. November birthdays as a whole are not common, with the major holiday looming toward the end of the month. The most-popular November birthday actually is Nov. 21, and that ranked just 80th on the list with an approximate conception date of Feb. 28.

Could May Flowers Bring Baby Showers?

Early February birthdays could suggest a Mother’s Day conception date, but this hasn’t been a prevalent pattern. Valentine’s Day itself is the most-common birth date for the second month (with a May 24 conception estimate), but it ranks just 63rd overall. The next most-frequent birthday in February is the 15th day of the month, which puts it at number 150 in terms of “popularity” on the data chart.

In the end, more and more these days, couples are planning the birth dates of their children more carefully, although every one of us will have a different story to tell about our own birthdays. For older generations, contraception was less readily available, leaving more birth dates to randomness. That just isn’t the case anymore, as the data demonstrates with the dominant birthday season of September every fall as a carefully planned event.

However, it’s always a fun conversation starter at any cocktail or dinner party, to go around the table and have each person think aloud to what may have been significant in the lives of their parents about nine months before they were born. It’s guaranteed to bring out a few chuckles and laughs for a fun social icebreaker in any gathering of family and friends.

Note: The writer’s birthday is July 12, and his mother’s birthday is Oct. 2. There are 282 days between these two dates. Draw your own conclusions.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/23/calculate-conception-date/feed/0Best Stores To Shop For Mothers Day Gifts In Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/10/best-stores-to-shop-for-mothers-day-gifts-in-denver/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/10/best-stores-to-shop-for-mothers-day-gifts-in-denver/#respondWed, 10 May 2017 13:00:34 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1554827It's time once again to show your mother how much you appreciate everything she's done for you. Stop by one of these stores to find that perfect gift.]]>By Alaina Brandenburg

Mother’s Day is the best day to show your mom how much you love her. By choosing a gift that matches her interests and her personality, you can show your mom how well you know her and shower her with appreciation. Mothers are as varied as their children, but there are plenty of stores at which to find the gift that is most appropriate for yours. Whether you’ve already got a few ideas, or you need some help choosing a gift, start out at one of the following stores.

Boulder Book Store1107 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 447-2074www.boulderbookstore.comFor mothers who love to read, the Boulder Book Store offers one of the most extensive selections in the Denver area. With many books in different genres, including independent authors, you are bound to find a book or two that your mother will love. It also buys and sells used books, which is perfect for shoppers on a budget and those who may be trying to locate a book that is out of print. Employees at the Boulder Book Store are avid readers who can assist you in your search to find a gift for your mom.

The Artisan Center2757 E. 3rd Ave.
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 333-1201www.artisancenterdenver.comThe Artisan Center is a venue in which local artists of varying mediums can showcase and sell their work. If your mom loves gifts that are handmade and unique, you will likely find a gift for her here. Artisans at the shop make everything from jewelry and accessories to home goods and pottery. The shop itself is well organized and offers a wide variety of gifts. Your mom will love the gift that you choose for her, and you will have the chance to support a local artist in the process.

Strum & Sip
3200 Larimer St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 928-4121www.strumandsip.comWhether your mother is a musician or someone who simply wants to learn to play guitar, Strum & Sip offers a one-of-a-kind experience for you and your mother. The happy hour guitar studio offers lessons for people of all ability levels so you and your mom can find a class for your skill level. If you don’t have a guitar, the studio has them available for rental for an additional fee. Strum & Sip offers passes as well for those who want to continue their guitar lessons.

Outdoors Geek
4431 Glencoe St.
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 699-6944www.outdoorsgeek.comOutdoorsy mothers will love the gift that you get them from Outdoors Geek. The shop offers camping gear that you can buy or rent, and there is gear for many types of camping. At Outdoors Geek, you can find everything from tents to food to sleeping bags and backpacks. Available brands include The North Face, Marmot, Big Agnes and more. Pick up some summer or winter outdoor gear for your mom and help her plan a weekend trip to one of Colorado’s scenic outdoor destinations.

TriBella1060 Bannock
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 495-2477www.tribellas.comMarathon moms will appreciate the new clothes that you find at TriBella. Offering gear and clothing for bikers, runners and swimmers, TriBella has the best gift for your multiple athlete mom. It also sells bikes and offers bike repair services. If your mom is training for a marathon, or simply likes to run through the neighborhood, she will love the gift that you find. TriBella also hosts clinics and events for moms who want to improve their marathon skills.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/10/best-stores-to-shop-for-mothers-day-gifts-in-denver/feed/0Mother’s Day Book List Gift Guidehttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/03/mothers-day-book-list-gift-guide/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/03/mothers-day-book-list-gift-guide/#respondWed, 03 May 2017 14:47:22 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1553152Looking to get Mom the perfect Mother's Day gift this year? Give her a book she won't be able to put down!]]>At a loss over what to buy this Mother’s Day? Our sister company, Simon & Schuster, has the answer. Whether your mom loves mystery, thrillers, home décor, or cooking, the perfect gift idea is right here.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Is Looking For The Next Read For Her Book Club: Beartown by Fredrik Backman

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove comes the story of a small town that has big dreams for their junior hockey team. With all hopes riding on a group of teenage boys, the semi-final match becomes a catalyst for a violent act that will ripple across the community.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Needs More Time To Relax: Women Food And God Coloring Book by Geneen Roth

Gorgeous black-and-white illustrations are paired with quotes from Geneen Roth’s #1 New York Times bestseller, Women Food and God, to create this inspirational coloring book.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Can’t Get Enough Suspense: The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

The New York Times bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood returns with an equally haunting novel. When travel journalist, Lo Blacklock, sets out to review a luxury cruise, it seems like the chance of a lifetime, but the cruise quickly turns dark when she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who’s An Expert At Home Décor: domino by Editors of domino

From the editors at domino magazine comes an essential guide to discovering your personal style and creating a space you love.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Loves Historical Fiction: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and New York Times bestseller tells the stunningly beautiful story of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France during World War II.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Sentimental Mom: Poems That Make Grown Women Cry by Anthony Holden and Ben Holden

In this collection, one hundred women—from actresses to scientists to musicians to artists—share poems that have stayed with them long after reading. From classics to contemporary writers, Poems That Make Grown Women Cry reminds readers how poetry can touch minds and hearts.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who’s An Amateur Artist: Stress Less Paint-By-Numbers Flowers by Adams Media

This kit comes with everything needed to paint away stress and create beautiful art in the process. Including 6 tubes of paint, brushes, and paint tray, you can easily create frame-worthy paintings of lilies, zinnias, and daisies.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Loves Thrillers: Everything You Want Me to Be by Mindy Mejia

When high school senior Hattie Hoffman is found brutally stabbed to death, tragedy rips through her small town. Everything You Want Me to Be weaves the story of Hattie’s last school year, the investigation of her murder, and the events that drew her ever closer to her death.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Loves To Cook And The Mom Who Wants To Learn: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat

In the tradition of The Joy of Cooking and How to Cook Everything comes an ambitious new approach to cooking. Chef and writer Samin Nosrat distills decades of professional experience into four simple elements: salt, fat, acid, and heat.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Loves Mysteries: All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

When her husband-to-be is arrested on the eve of their wedding, gems and jewelry expert Celia Kilbride flees the public eye by taking a position lecturing on a cruise ship. When one of the ship’s passengers is murdered and her priceless necklace stolen, though, Celia sets out to find the killer.

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

For The Mom Who Could Really Use A Break: Stress Less by Kate Hanley

Yoga teacher and veteran author Kate Hanley shares her expert advice on how to reduce and prevent stress with over 100 simple and inspirational exercises.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/05/03/mothers-day-book-list-gift-guide/feed/0DIY Mother’s Day Dinner Recipeshttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/diy-mothers-day-dinner-recipes/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/diy-mothers-day-dinner-recipes/#respondThu, 20 Apr 2017 14:43:27 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1549499If you're on the lookout for some simple recipes to make for mom on Mother's Day, you can't go wrong with any of these five offerings.]]>By Deb Flomberg

One of the best ways to show mom you care on Mother’s Day is to head to the kitchen, roll up your sleeves and prepare her a delicious, well-deserved meal. She’ll appreciate your time and efforts spent over the stove, and you’ll get to treat the woman you love most to a homemade gift that includes time spent together enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Wary of your lack of experience in the kitchen? There’s no need to be nervous about tackling the cooking on the big day if you choose the right recipes. Here are five simple recipes for modern takes on classic dishes that mom is sure to love this Mother’s Day.

Easy Breakfast Quiche

Quiche is a very easy way to create a meal for the whole family, and it’s perfect for that breakfast-in-bed morning that mom is craving. You can adjust this recipe to fit anything mom loves. If she’s not a fan of bacon, simply leave it out or substitute ham or kielbasa. Throw in any veggies she loves and any cheese she prefers. You can use this very easy version as a base to create the perfect meal for mom.

Ingredients

1 store-bought pie crust

6 large eggs

6 slices of bacon (cooked and chopped)

¾ cup heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup baby Portobello mushrooms (chopped)

1 cup red onion (chopped)

Salt and pepper

1 handful fresh thyme (chopped)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and cream.

Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir well.

Pour the egg mixture into the pie crust.

Bake for 30 – 40 minutes.

Your quiche is done when you insert a knife in the center and it comes out clean.

Sprinkle the top of the finished quiche with a bit of crumbled bacon.

Eggs Benedict with easy Hollandaise Sauce

Another great classic breakfast that mom will love, eggs Benedict is easier to make than you think. It all comes down to a simple and delicious Hollandaise sauce that you can make in your blender.

Ingredients

Hollandaise

10 Tablespoons unsalted butter

3 egg yolks

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

Eggs Benedict

4 slices Canadian bacon

4 eggs

2 English Muffins

Butter

Directions

Hollandaise Sauce

Melt the butter.

Put the egg yolks, lemon juice and salt into a blender.

Blend on medium for 30 seconds until well blended.

Turn blender down to its lowest setting and slowly pour the hot melted butter into the blender while it continues to blend on low. Be sure to go very slowly so the eggs don’t curdle.

Add salt and more lemon juice to taste.

Eggs Benedict

Poach the eggs in boiling water.

Toast the English Muffins.

Butter the English muffins, place a slice of Canadian bacon on each and top with a poached egg on each.

Pour a spoonful of your homemade Hollandaise sauce onto the eggs.

Fresh Arugula And Salmon Salad

When lunch time comes on the big day, she might want something light, yet filling. This salad made with a classic vinaigrette dressing and spicy arugula is perfect for mid-day. You can make the dressing ahead of time and assemble it quickly, and she’ll be super impressed with this take on a filling and healthy salad.

Ingredients

1 scallion chopped

1 lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 large bunch arugula

2 radishes (sliced thin)

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons feta cheese

4 ounces sliced smoked salmon

Directions

For the dressing, combine the mustard, scallion and the juice of the lemon in a small bowl.

Whisk slowly and pour the olive oil in as you whisk, dripping a bit at a time until well blended.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the salad, using all the rest of the ingredients, and top with the dressing.

Toss to coat and enjoy.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Whether you need a hearty side for dinner or you want to make this the main course, mom will love these delicious stuffed mushrooms. This is another recipe you can customize to suit her tastes, as mushrooms provide a great base for just about any flavor you like.

Ingredients

6 Portobello mushrooms

1 tablespoon butter

½ onion, diced

1 clove of garlic, smashed and chopped

3 tablespoons cream cheese

½ cup crumbled blue cheese

1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs

3 strips of thick-cut bacon

Directions

Cook the bacon until crispy.

While bacon is cooking, remove stems from mushrooms, set the mushroom caps aside and chop the stems finely.

Drain bacon, chop finely and set aside.

Add butter to the same pan with the bacon drippings. Stir in the mushroom stems, onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is caramelized, about 15 minutes.

Remove the onion mixture from heat and place in a large mixing bowl.

Add the bacon, cream cheese, blue cheese and breadcrumbs to the bowl.

Mix well until everything is combined.

Stuff the mixture into the mushroom caps and place into a 13×9 inch baking dish.

Bake until everything is lightly browned and bubbling on top, about 15 minutes.

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

No Mother’s Day would be compete without a great dessert, and you don’t have to be afraid of baking for this fun adaptation of a classic treat. Use a non-stick muffin tin (or silicon if you’ve got it) to ensure the mini cakes come out just right.

Ingredients

1 can pineapple slices (with juice saved)

1/3 cup butter (melted)

1 cup brown sugar

9 maraschino cherries, halved

1 box store-bought yellow cake mix

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare the yellow cake mix according to the package directions, replacing the water with the pineapple juice.

Combine melted butter and brown sugar.

Divide the butter and brown sugar mixture into 18 muffin cups.

Press one slice of pineapple on top of the brown sugar mixture in each cup.

Place one cherry in the middle of each pineapple slice.

Pour about ¼ cup of the yellow cake mixture into each muffin cup.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

Cake is done when you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.

Let cool.

Remove from muffin tins and place upside down to serve.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/diy-mothers-day-dinner-recipes/feed/0Mother’s Day Gifts For New Momshttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/mothers-day-gifts-for-new-moms/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/mothers-day-gifts-for-new-moms/#respondThu, 20 Apr 2017 14:43:22 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1549497You've got a new mom to celebrate this year. Here's how to show her that you care.]]>By Deb Flomberg

A woman’s first Mother’s Day is always the most exciting. It’s a chance to show the new mom in your life just how special she is and what a great mother she has already become, so it’s important to find a way to truly honor and celebrate her on this big day. From creating a simple framed photo to a whole day of planned activities, there are so many great ways to show the new mom in your life how loved she truly is.

Preserve Precious Memories

You don’t have to have years of crafting experience to create a truly special gift. Try something simple like a framed photo of mom and the new baby, or create art on canvas using baby’s hand and footprints. Go bigger and create a first-year scrap book using one of the many online custom photo book options available. Taking the time to document this first year of your lives with the new baby will truly help mom feel very special on her first Mother’s Day.

Let Her Catch Up On Some Zzs

One thing any new parent will tell you is how much sleep they lose during the first year of baby’s life. This Mother’s Day morning, get up with the baby so she can sleep in, but also go the extra mile the night before. Draw her a nice bubble bath to help her relax, and make the bed with extra comfy, clean sheets, blankets and pillows. Lay out a pair of new PJs, fill a diffuser with lavender essential oils, play soothing music and place some of her favorite chocolates on the nightstand to help carry her off to dreamland.

Reconnect As A Couple

You’ve probably missed time with the new mom in your life, especially this first year. Arrange for a babysitter and spend the day doing something you couldn’t do while she was pregnant or after the baby came. Try a wine tasting or visit a local brewery for a tour. Go to a play or see a big musical. Tour a museum or browse an art gallery. Spend a few hours doing something sans-kids so mom can feel special again on this first Mother’s Day. You’ve both given up a lot this year, so spend some the day getting in some much-needed couples time.

Customize Commemorative Jewelry

There are many special (and inexpensive) jewelry pieces made just for new moms that document the first year of her new baby’s life. Look for a special charm bracelet or necklace that incorporates the baby’s birthstone. Go to your local jeweler and get a special memento customized with an engraving. A special piece of jewelry to document this important day will certainly help create a wonderful first Mother’s Day.

Set Up A Professional Photo Shoot

There is nothing more personal and more treasured than a great photo that captures an important moment in someone’s life. And as great as you are at taking cell phone pictures and selfies, it won’t compare to the talent of a professional photographer. Set up a surprise photos shoot for mom and baby in celebration of her first Mother’s Day. Bring in a professional photographer, find a great location (like a beautiful park or a favorite local hot spot) and create some new photos that you’ll both treasure for the rest of your lives.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/mothers-day-gifts-for-new-moms/feed/05 Activities To Do With Your Mom On Mother’s Dayhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/5-activities-to-do-with-your-mom-on-mothers-day/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/5-activities-to-do-with-your-mom-on-mothers-day/#respondThu, 20 Apr 2017 14:43:22 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1549496Looking for something different to do with Mom this Mother's Day? Here are five ideas to help you show the love.]]>By Deb Flombgerg

Mother’s Day is almost here, so if you haven’t spent some time figuring out how to tell mom that you appreciate all she’s done for you, this is your official call to action. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to show mom some love on the big day, either. There are lots of things you can do together, for very little money, that will create a beautiful and picture-perfect Mother’s Day for the most important woman in your life. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Spend Time In The Garden

Mother’s Day signifies the unofficial start to the gardening season in many areas. Depending on your local weather, this is the perfect time to swing by the garden store to pick up a few plants, some fresh soil and some new gardening shears. Don’t just gift the great new gardening haul to mom—spend some time in the dirt with her. Get your hands dirty together and build or grow something beautiful as a team. She’ll love spending the time with you, and you’ll both have the great results of your effort later in the year.

Pampering Done Right

How many times has mom mentioned that all she wants this year is “some peace and quiet”? What better way to give it to her than a day of pampering in honor of Mother’s Day? You don’t have to spend hundreds at a fancy salon. Instead, make sure mom wakes up to a perfectly cleaned bathroom. Draw her a bubble-filled or bath-bomb-infused bath, leave a gift basket of soaps, lotions, eye masks, and other fancy stuff by the tub for her to try. You can even include a new, comfy robe and some plush slippers for her to slip her tired feet in once she’s out of the tub. Then follow up her pampering with a manicure or pedicure at your local salon for some great mother-daughter time.

Take A Class Together

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to learn something new with your momma. Check out the local adult education schools and find a fun class that you can enjoy together. Try a cooking class and learn how to make a new dish, or visit a local crafting store to take a class in knitting or felting or another fun handmade craft idea. Try a wine-tasting class with your mother or learn how to brew some craft beer together at home (yes, many moms love beer, too.) Whatever class you decide, the gift here is time with mom, so be sure to take the class with her and make some memories of your own.

One-Day Vacation

As much as you’d love to be able to send mom on a fabulous European vacation for Mother’s Day, it’s probably not in the budget. But with a bit of creativity and planning, you can still enjoy that trip to Italy at home. Create her favorite Italian meal, get a bottle of the best red wine to go with it, and spend some time decorating with Italy in mind. Some red, white and green table cloths and napkins will help set the mood, as will a basket of fresh bread on the table, some candle light and a string of lights to provide the perfect atmosphere. Then have dinner together in your own Little Italy (or Paris, or anywhere else mom has always wanted to visit.)

Capture Time Together

One thing mom will always tell you is how fast the time flies, so spend Mother’s Day trying to capture that moment in time with a time capsule. Find a pretty box and spend the day with mom filling it with all sorts of memories the two of you have created over the years. Put the box somewhere special and open it the following year. Then you can create your own new yearly time capsule with your mom, and it can become a fun annual tradition where you get to look back over the previous year’s memories together each Mother’s Day. You can even bury the capsule in your backyard or garden and use the opportunity to plant a flower or two in honor of the capsule each year.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/5-activities-to-do-with-your-mom-on-mothers-day/feed/05 Handmade Mother’s Day Gift Ideashttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/5-handmade-mothers-day-gift-ideas/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/5-handmade-mothers-day-gift-ideas/#respondThu, 20 Apr 2017 14:43:22 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1549495Looking for a new way to show mom some love this Mother's Day? Here are five great craft ideas to inspire your own creativity.]]>By Deb Flomberg

They always say that the best gifts are handmade, and it’s true. Whether you have a ton of artistic skill or you’re just finally trying your hand at a crafting day – there are many fun and easy things you can do to show mom that you care. Crafting with the kids is also a great way to make some special gifts together while you create memories that will be treasured for a lifetime to come. So forget another gift card or Mother’s Day scarf, and try your hand at one of these homemade gift ideas this year.

Print Art

Here’s a very simple craft idea that you can do with young children for mom on Mother’s Day: Help your kiddos leave a fingerprint or thumb print on a flower pot (use non-toxic, child-safe paint) or canvas, or even a tote bag or mug. Then spend some time with your children turning those fingerprints and thumbprints into art. Make animals or pretty butterflies out of the prints, or use them to spell out mom’s name or create a fun design. There is no one-way to do this, and you can gift mom with something extra special, because the art was made from her child’s own prints.

Photo Cube

If you’re looking for a fun way to gift some special photos, a photo cube is very easy to make and requires only a few extra supplies. You can pick up a wooden cube at any local craft store. Then grab a jar of Mod Podge – an inexpensive acrylic sealer – and a paintbrush or two. Simply arrange the photos you would like to use on the wooden cube and cover with a layer of the Mod Podge. Let dry and repeat. This technique is called decoupage, and it’s a fun way to create a lasting gift out of photos. Don’t want to use a cube? You can also do this with all sorts of fun shapes. Pick up wooden letters using the first initial of each of her children, then use photos from that child on each letter.

Spa Basket

What mom wouldn’t love her own basket filled with spa treats and gifts to help provide a day of pampering? Fill a pretty basket with all of the things she loves. Grab some scented lotions, bubble bath, bath bombs, a luxurious towel and a bathrobe. You can even make some homemade sugar scrubs featuring scents that she loves. All it takes is some coconut oil, granulated white sugar and any essential oil you think she’d love. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave, mix with the sugar and add the essential oils (just a few drops will go a very long way.) Mix together and place in a pretty mason jar with a ribbon. Make a few small jars with a bunch of different scents in honor of a special memory or anything else she’d love.

Personalized Towels

Does your mom have a saying or two that has always stuck with you? You know – that one quote that you find yourself repeating, “my mom always says…” Here’s a fun way to show her that you’ve been listening. Instead of gifting some monogramed towels, stencil that saying onto them. Use fabric paint and some good stencils to make sure the towels look great. Try a matching set with a couple of her best mom-isms, or put them on a mug or even stitched onto a pillow (for those of you that sew.) Just showing mom that you’ve been listening this whole time will really provide her with a wonderful Mother’s Day treat.

Recipe Box

There is something very special about documenting family recipes, and it’s even more special when you do it the old-fashioned way, with note cards in a pretty box. Sure, there are apps for that now, and it seems like almost everyone these days keeps their recipes online, but embrace the old-school charm of a traditional recipe box. Pull together all your favorite family recipes and write them by hand onto some note cards, then spend some time decorating a beautiful box. Be sure to include plenty of room for more recipes you’ll create together in the future. If you’ve got some time, you can even engrave the box or burn her name into it using a woodburning kit. However you decorate it, she’ll love this beautiful way to capture all your family recipes.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/04/20/5-handmade-mothers-day-gift-ideas/feed/0Firefighters Help Turn Around A ‘Fowl’ Mother’s Day For Mama Duckhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/05/09/loveland-duckling-rescue/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/05/09/loveland-duckling-rescue/#respondTue, 10 May 2016 02:37:18 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1455476A mother duck's Mother's Day was almost not what it was quacked up to be. Her day started out pretty "fowl" when her ducklings became trapped in a storm drain near Loveland's Benson Sculpture Park.]]>

LOVELAND (CBS4) – A mother duck’s Mother’s Day was almost not what it was quacked up to be. Her day started out pretty “fowl” when her ducklings became trapped in a storm drain near Loveland’s Benson Sculpture Park.

A passerby saw what was going on, realized it was a daffy situation, and called the fire department at about 7:40 a.m.

When the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority team arrived they found a nervous mother pacing next to the drain.

(credit: Don Oft)

They first tried to open the steel grate covering the drain, but that idea didn’t fit the bill. The firefighters couldn’t do it without risking significant damage.

(credit: Don Oft)

Firefighters didn’t let their get feathers ruffled, though.

(credit: Don Oft)

(credit: Don Oft)

As they kept working to help the ducklings, one of the crew members found an exit pipe that fed a nearby stream that led to a pond in the park.

“They flowed some water into the drain which allowed the ducklings to float out of the exit pipe and into the stream,” Scott Pringle with Loveland Fire Rescue Authority said in a statement.

(credit: Don Oft)

Shortly thereafter, thankfully it all ended swimmingly. Mama and her ducklings were safely reunited.

“Our crew members were glad to be of assistance to the mother duck, especially considering it was Mother’s Day!”

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/05/09/loveland-duckling-rescue/feed/0Happy Mother’s Day From The Sports Worldhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/05/10/happy-mothers-day-from-the-sports-world/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/05/10/happy-mothers-day-from-the-sports-world/#respondSun, 10 May 2015 23:05:07 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1349376On Mother's Day today athletes from every sport took to social media to thank the women who matter most in their lives.]]>Bryan Altman, CBS Local Sports

With all of the negativity that surrounds not only social media, but also profession athletes from time to time, it was a beautiful day on both accounts as athletes took to Twitter to thank their mothers for being there for them through it all. Let’s take a look at some of the messages our favorite athletes and organizations sent to the most important women in their lives on Mother’s Day this year.

Happy Mothers Day to the most important moms in my life, thankful and blessed to have yal! I love you both so much! http://t.co/yQt2MuZuj4

Athletes, actors and everyone in between celebrated their mothers on this day, reminding all of us once more what’s really important. So happy Mother’s Day everyone, enjoy the sports day and try to spend some quality time with mom while watching all of the awesome action.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/05/10/happy-mothers-day-from-the-sports-world/feed/0Flash Mob At Children’s Hospital Celebrates Mothershttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/05/09/flash-mob-at-childrens-hospital-celebrates-mothers/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/05/09/flash-mob-at-childrens-hospital-celebrates-mothers/#respondSun, 10 May 2015 00:31:19 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1349290A flash mob at Children's Hospital celebrated Mother's Day a day early on Saturday.]]>DENVER (CBS4)– A flash mob at Children’s Hospital celebrated Mother’s Day a day early on Saturday.

It was a special surprise for all mothers of hospitalized children in honor of Mother’s Day.

A flash mob at Children’s Hospital on Saturday (credit: CBS)

Dozens of people took to the front lobby to dance to “Keep the Faith” by Michael Jackson.

Moms also received gift bags which included nail polish and gift cards especially designed for mom.

Before the storm snowpack measured at 93 percent of normal on average across the state.

“Statewide totals went from 94 percent of normal on Friday to 120 percent as of today,” said Snow Survey Assistant Supervisor Mage Hultstrand.

With that parts of Colorado received moisture that wasn’t needed.

(credit: CBS)

“We had over an inch of water added to the state,” said Hultstrand.

It’s that additional water that’s raising concerns of how it will impact this year’s flood risk.

“The stage is set for potential flooding because we do have a high snowpack and because damage to stream channels from the flooding last September,” said meteorologist Chad Gimm.

The recent storm may have been more helpful than hurtful.

“We don’t want to continue adding to an already large snowpack but the cooler temperatures and the additional fresh snow does delay the melt,” said Hultstrand.

While the winter blast temporarily delayed the flood threat, meteorologists also warn that prolonging snowmelt in a season known for high temperatures and heavy rain can be dangerous, too.

“This time of year either of those things can happen and that’s really what we’re concerned about,” said Gimm.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/05/14/mothers-day-storm-puts-colorado-snowpack-over-100-percent/feed/0Women Reveal What They Love About Being ‘Mom’http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/04/27/women-reveal-what-they-love-about-being-mom/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/04/27/women-reveal-what-they-love-about-being-mom/#respondSun, 27 Apr 2014 11:00:00 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=1244644Despite the obvious differences in lifestyle, a stay-at-homer and a working mom share what they adore about the crazy world of motherhood.]]>A toddler’s playground can be the stage for bickering, fighting and name calling, and that’s just from the moms. An on-going “I can do it better than you feud” has long raged between working and stay-at-home moms, yet all mothers everywhere are tied together by one common thread – love for their children. Despite the obvious differences in lifestyle, a stay-at-homer and a working mom share what they adore about the crazy world of motherhood.

Working mom Susan Rosenblum is based in Brooklyn, NY and has commuted back and forth to her job as a legal secretary in Manhattan since her son, Jason, was a baby. “It was easier to go to work when he was little than it is now,” she admits. “I had someone I trusted taking care of him and knew he was safe. Now that he’s older and a lot more involved in school, I wish I had more hours to assist with schoolwork. Between Spanish, math and music, there just isn’t enough time, ever, to do everything that needs to get done. Even though I’m not home every minute of every day, I’ve loved watching him grow and seeing the person he has become,” she adds.

Stay-at-home mom Holly Rodriguez may have the best of both worlds – a part-time job she manages from the house and a flexible schedule allowing her to spend as much time as she needs to with her children. “I love my new alarm clock – my 20-month old son – reciting his ABC’s first thing in the morning and the feeling of his heartbeat in sync with mine when he falls asleep in my arms,” says the Richmond, VA native, who thrills at every soccer goal her daughter scores and considers her children to be her greatest teachers. “I love how my children have taught me the healing power of laughter in just about every situation – from funerals to poo in the bathtub – and how, in my quest for perfection, they have taught me to embrace what is less than perfect,” she says.

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Rosenblum agrees, despite a hard-lined schedule and the demands of city life. “What I love about a being a mom, just so many things,” she says. “I love seeing myself and my chatterbox ways reflected in Jason, who is so much like me. But what I love the most, I think, is simply the everyday things that bind us together as a family. Even as Jason gets older, I can’t believe I produced this human being. All moms hope to leave a legacy because our kids are the future. You pray you’ve laid the right groundwork, but also have to let go of the reigns and let them fly, hoping in your heart you gave them the right tools to do so.

Not all moms earn a paycheck, but certainly, no one would argue that moms don’t work. Some commute to jobs and see their kids a little less than they would like. Others spend their days smelling the roses and sometimes wish, maybe, for a break and the opportunity to put on a clean shirt and pair of high heels. No matter how they spend their days, all have stories to share about spilled milk, dried tears, unstoppable giggles and the joy of being a mom.

Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/04/27/women-reveal-what-they-love-about-being-mom/feed/0Colorado Company Gives Gifts To New Moms For Mother’s Dayhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/12/colorado-companies-give-gifts-to-new-moms-for-mothers-day/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/12/colorado-companies-give-gifts-to-new-moms-for-mothers-day/#respondSun, 12 May 2013 22:26:54 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=550708This Mother's Day new mom's in need are getting special attention and help from two local companies. One company provides in home care and the other supports while nursing.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – This Mother’s Day new mom’s in need are getting special attention and help from two local companies. One company provides in home care and the other supports while nursing.

Katie Walsh celebrated Mother’s Day as a first time mom to 2-week-old Oliver. She’s getting used to the new sleep schedule and is staying on top of feedings with added help from her new Boppy pillow.

“It’s a breastfeeding support pillow basically. It goes around your waist or your side here and helps support while you’re breastfeeding basically,” Walsh said. “It helps with your back a lot.”

Walsh is one of many first-time moms in the Denver metro area that got the pillow free from Nurse Family Partnership. Together with The Boppy Company new moms are given the new gift just in time for Mother’s Day.

“They’re thrilled. I mean it’s really nice to be able to offer this gift to them. They are really excited,” Kimberly Hirst with the Nurse Family Partnership said.

“We support moms as well, so it was a great opportunity for us to provide a little additional support for those moms in need,” Meg Heitlinger with The Boppy Company said.

Nurse Family Partnership helps first-time moms by making house calls. It’s a little extra care for low income mothers during their pregnancy until their child is 2 years old.

“I’ve had a lot of questions and concerns and natural anxieties with becoming a new mom,” Walsh said.

For Walsh the benefits of the program have been priceless. Meeting with a nurse from the comfort of her own home, despite her income, has helped ease her into this new phase in life.

“Kind of calmed my nerves about it and made me more confident. I guess to go into the whole process and be a new mom,” Walsh said.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/12/colorado-companies-give-gifts-to-new-moms-for-mothers-day/feed/0Green Thumbs Head To Denver Botanic Gardens For Annual Plant Salehttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/green-thumbs-head-to-denver-botanic-gardens-for-annual-plant-sale/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/green-thumbs-head-to-denver-botanic-gardens-for-annual-plant-sale/#respondFri, 10 May 2013 22:19:38 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=548402Mother’s Day is the traditional kick-off to the planting season in Colorado. It’s also the weekend gardeners and plant lovers flock to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the annual plant sale.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – Mother’s Day is the traditional kick-off to the planting season in Colorado. It’s also the weekend gardeners and plant lovers flock to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the annual plant sale.

The sale is chance for gardeners not only to buy plants appropriate for Colorado but to get some advice for the state’s experts, the staff at the gardens.

And it’s advice Michael Bone, the curator of the Steppe Collection.

“It’s exciting for me when people get excited about something that I just love doing and doing and I’m passionate about. It’s just a festival atmosphere and a lot of fun,” Bone said.

The plants are divided into 14 divisions or specialized collections of plants.

“Some for water-smart gardening, Plant Select is here. We have fruits and vegetables, annuals, perennials, herbs, rock garden plants so we’ve got a lot of different divisions here,” said Bone.

“One section here is the kind of weird, unusual things from our collections that we’re able to grow and share with the public.”

It’s the people who want to get their hands on those unusual plants that are usually first in line Friday morning.

Bone is happy to share his knowledge of his specialty.

“Steppes are short-grassed prairies around the world so most habitats that are dry enough to not sustain forest growth,” he explained. “Denver is one of the great classic steppe regions of the world.”

From those short grasses to flowers that will have your garden blooming in color all summer, the Botanic Gardens Plant Sale is sure to have just what you need.

It is open again Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Denver Botanic Gardens at 10th & York.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/green-thumbs-head-to-denver-botanic-gardens-for-annual-plant-sale/feed/0Working Moms: 6 Must-Dos Before Maternity Leavehttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/working-moms-6-must-dos-before-maternity-leave/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/working-moms-6-must-dos-before-maternity-leave/#respondFri, 10 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=547304Returning from maternity leave can be a tough transition for some new moms. So if you're getting ready to join the ranks of working mothers, there are some things you can do now to make it easier later. Here are six smart steps to take.]]>By Amy Levin-Epstein

(CBSMoneyWatch) Returning from maternity leave can be a tough transition for some new moms. So if you’re getting ready to join the ranks of working mothers, there are some things you can do now to make it easier later. Here are six smart steps to take.

Talk about your length of leave early

Your maternity leave will go more smoothly if you discuss specific terms and conditions well before it starts. This is especially important if you want to take more than the standard allotted time your company offers to new moms. “It will make it much easier for your boss and colleagues to manage and much less stressful for you when the little one arrives and you are worried about how to tell your work environment,” says Ariane de Bonvoisin, author of “The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Making Any Change Easier.”

Lay down your electronic ground rules

Will you be on email 24-7, check in once a day (or week) by phone, or stay away from all communications completely until you return? “Be crystal clear — first off with yourself — about if and how you will check in and then be very clear and firm in expressing the arrangement to your boss,” says Selena Rezvani, author of “Pushback: How Smart Women Ask — And Stand Up — For What They Want.”Whether or not you stay in touch is up to you — and will depend on your situation. “Not everyone needs to check in during their leave, but it’s more important for the woman that’s close to a promotion or trying to maintain visibility,” says Rezvani.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/working-moms-6-must-dos-before-maternity-leave/feed/0Man Still Hospitalized After Mother’s Day Beating In LoDohttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/06/02/man-still-hospitalized-after-mothers-day-beating-in-lodo/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/06/02/man-still-hospitalized-after-mothers-day-beating-in-lodo/#respondSat, 02 Jun 2012 21:40:29 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=185613Police are trying to track down as many as nine men who were involved in a brutal attack in Downtown Denver on May 13.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – Police are trying to track down as many as nine men who were involved in a brutal attack in Downtown Denver on May 13.

Two men were beaten so badly that one remains at Denver Health Medical Center with severe head injuries.

The incidents happened outside The Drink bar on 15th near Market Street. The victims believe they were picked at random.

Police have arrested only one man in connection with the beatings. They’re hoping that suspect will lead them to the other men who assaulted the two men who were out on the town for the night.

“It’s not just my best friend to me, it’s somebody I love,” Ryan Harris said.

The tears have been hard to hold back for 26-year-old Harris. His best friend, Shane Wise, has been hospitalized with severe head injuries since the Mother’s Day attack. They were trying to catch a cab at 15th between Market and Larimer when the attack occurred.

“A car pulled up and there were a few guys in back seat and they were staring at us,” Harris said.

Harris says the car then pulled over.

“I get hit and that’s all I remember at that point,” he said. “Talking to detectives, what they see later on, is we were surrounded by ten guys or more.”

Kellen Wise was separated from the two men moments before the assault. He did see a group of men running away and then spotted his twin brother on the ground.

Shane Wise ended up with multiple fractures to his face, skull and bleeding to the brain. The recovery could take months.

“When he talks, it’s a mix between maybe a 3-year-old and a really intoxicated person,” Kellen Wise said. “It just doesn’t really flow.”

Police arrested Dominic Perez, 23, as an accessory to first-degree assault. They’re not releasing his photo, hoping that he will lead detectives to the other men they are looking for.

“People that are downtown be conscious of your surroundings,” Harris said. “The only thing I’ve learned from it is to value the people in your life.”

Both Shane Wise and Harris don’t have medical insurance. The medical bills are mounting, so friends and family are planning a benefit to help raise money on June 30 at Mullen High School.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/06/02/man-still-hospitalized-after-mothers-day-beating-in-lodo/feed/0Mothers With No Family In Denver Get Treated To Meal At Strings Restauranthttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/13/mothers-with-no-family-in-denver-get-treated-to-meal-at-strings-restaurant/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/13/mothers-with-no-family-in-denver-get-treated-to-meal-at-strings-restaurant/#respondSun, 13 May 2012 23:12:33 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=176800Strings teamed up with the Volunteers of America's Meals on Wheels program to treat 175 women to a Mother's Day banquet.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – Some special mothers dined in style at Strings restaurant this Mother’s Day.

Strings teamed up with the Volunteers of America’s Meals on Wheels program to treat 175 women to a Mother’s Day banquet. The women invited to the event don’t have any family in the area.

Those who attended say it’s a great tradition.

“I’m just really happy to be here another year to be able to be a part of this celebration,” mother Claudette Sweet said. “We want to thank Strings for putting on this breakfast for us.”

“That’s the most beautiful thing in the world, is being a mom,” mother Gladys White said.

It was the 20th year for the Mother’s Day banquet.

The mothers also went home with chocolates and flowers. Metro Taxi gave them rides to and from Strings at no charge.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/13/mothers-with-no-family-in-denver-get-treated-to-meal-at-strings-restaurant/feed/0Denver Health Makes Mother’s Day Extra Special For New Mothershttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/13/denver-health-makes-mothers-day-extra-special-for-new-mothers/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/13/denver-health-makes-mothers-day-extra-special-for-new-mothers/#respondSun, 13 May 2012 22:35:52 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=176772Denver Health Medical Center made Sunday an extra special Mother's Day for new mothers as the hospital threw a baby shower.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – Denver Health Medical Center made Sunday an extra special Mother’s Day for new mothers as the hospital threw a baby shower.

It was a special Mother’s Day for Ebonie Lindsay. The first-time mother just gave birth Friday to beautiful Judaya at Denver Health.

“It’s a little bit overwhelming, but happy nonetheless,” Lindsay said. “Lack of sleep and I don’t know, just the excitement of it and everything.”

With Lindsay not having a full-time job, buying all the things necessary for little Judaya’s first few days of life could be a little difficult. Thanks to Denver Health and people in the community, she was given her own baby shower.

“It means the world to these moms. It’s very challenging to be a new mother under the best of circumstances, but if you’re financially stretched it can be a real, real challenge,” Robin Engleberg with the Denver Health Foundation said.

It was all part of the Newborns In Need program. Each deserving mother is given a baby bag with necessary baby items, including a baby blanket, onesies, and much needed diapers.

Lindsay couldn’t be happier.

“I felt special because you don’t get that every day. They don’t do that at every hospital,” she said.

The items were donated to the many mothers delivering at Denver Health over the weekend and year round. It made for an extra special Mother’s Day as little Judaya gets to go home with her mother for the first time.

Every year about 3,500 babies are born at Denver Health. Unfortunately, about 90 percent are born to families that live below poverty.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/13/denver-health-makes-mothers-day-extra-special-for-new-mothers/feed/0Treat Mom To Something Special Without Spending A Lothttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/09/treat-mom-to-something-special-without-speding-a-lot/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/09/treat-mom-to-something-special-without-speding-a-lot/#respondThu, 10 May 2012 03:24:04 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=174943Just a few days left until Mother's Day but unless you want to get on mom's bad side, you might want to start thinking of showing your appreciation. ]]>DENVER (CBS4) – There are just a few days left until Mother’s Day, and unless you want to get on mom’s bad side you might want to start thinking of showing your appreciation.

4 On Your Side Money Saver Suzanne McCarroll found some great deals out there along with something unique.

At Sugarlicious in Cherry Creek they have $2 merlot chocolate called “Mommy’s Time Out” or a champagne chocolate named “Mommy’s Sippy Cup.”

If it’s flowers you want, check out Two Women and A Truck, they deliver fresh-cut flowers that will help you stay on track with your budget.

“We don’t have overhead, we’re actually licensed as a mobile vendor, so this actually is our overhead, is our truck,” said Two Women and a Truck co-owner Jenni Rodriguez.

“We work out of our home and try to buy local whenever possible as opposed to having flowers shipped in from all over the country and paying that additional cost we use local flowers so they are fresher, they last longer and they are less expensive,” said Two Women and a Truck co-owner Elizabeth Temple.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/09/treat-mom-to-something-special-without-speding-a-lot/feed/0Becoming A Working Mom — One Woman’s Experiencehttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/04/becoming-a-working-mom-one-womans-experience/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/04/becoming-a-working-mom-one-womans-experience/#respondFri, 04 May 2012 23:47:40 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=172405What's it like to be a working mom? Read about one woman's experience going back to work after staying home with the kids.]]>

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

My life as a stay-at-home mom was all roses and buttercups. My well-rested children would rise in the morning with glee in their hearts, and I would prepare a multi-course breakfast. As the day continued we would play on swings at the park, color a bit, bake cupcakes and wait eagerly at the window until daddy arrived home from a day at the office.

And then I woke up.

After a long day of changing diapers, running errands, doing laundry, making snacks and tucking kids into bed, the last thing I wanted to do was look for a job. But something fell in my lap, something great and creative and flexible. That last part was key — flexible.

Stay-at-home moms return to work for lots of reasons. Some always knew staying at home would be a short-term thing. Some need the extra income or insurance for their families. Some crave adult interaction.

My reasons for returning to work were nothing that a million other moms hadn’t already considered. I certainly didn’t miss going to an office every day, but I did miss having projects to manage and goals to achieve. I love my two girls with all my heart, but I needed something more to make me whole. And, of course, bringing home an extra paycheck wouldn’t hurt.

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Guilty vs. Not Guilty

I heard stories of moms dropping off their kids at daycare for the first time and crying all the way to the office. In my case, I felt guilty for not feeling guilty. After all, I had barely finished paying off my graduate school student loans when I started staying home with my oldest. I was doing what was right for my family by becoming a stay-at-home mom at that time. But eventually going back to work was never a question.

And I’m not saying that I’ve never felt guilty. My daughter will remind you of the birthday party she missed because she had to go to after-school care. And there was that day when the kids got out of school at 11:30 a.m. and the school office called me because I didn’t pick them up. Or the day I sent my kids to school with only Cheetos because the rest of the lunch was left on the counter.

I’m truly lucky that my job lets me be home before dinner time and early enough to help with homework. I’ve learned to make up lost time in other ways, like making sure we eat dinner together as a family during the week and hosting play dates at our house to see my daughters interact with their friends.

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Logistics

We don’t have family in the area. That means no overnights at grandma’s house, no aunts to pick up the kids from school and no older cousins to babysit. We’re on our own. How would the kids get home from school? What if my daughter needed to stay home sick? What about half-days (that I can remember) and school holidays, not to mention summer break?

My husband and I equally share the duties and take turns caring for the kids. But I am responsible for scheduling after-school care and summer camps. And I leave work to pick up my daughter from school when she has a fever. Does it upset me… not really. My job is more flexible (part of the reason I took it in the first place), so I just figured it would be that way. Other families work differently.

I’ve come to rely upon and appreciate a close circle of friends who understand what working moms go through. Those friends bring my kids to and from sports practice. I return the favor as much as possible, watching their kids when I can or having their family over for a weekend cookout. It’s important to understand that no mom is an island; we all need a little lifeboat every once in a while. It’s what gets us all through.

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Finances

Everyone knows that a second income means more money coming through the front door. But going back to work comes with lots of extra costs. We don’t pay for daycare most of the year because my kids are in school. But after-school care, because of a late meeting, is often an unexpected expense. And full-day camp takes up a pretty significant chunk of my paycheck during the summer months.

The second income has been important to our family. But it can be rough knowing that the extra money you bring home goes to pay someone else to watch your kids. And in many cases, it’s not extra money. It can be a vicious, frustrating cycle.

I know I’m not the first mom facing these issues, but I had to figure it out on my own. We all have to. Does it make more sense to have a job or stay home with the kids from a personal, logistical and financial standpoint? Each family must decide based on their unique circumstances. There is no one right answer. Sometimes circumstances change, and the right decision is made for you. And sometimes the best scenario ends up somewhere in the middle. Freelance work and job-sharing arrangements let more and more moms (and dads too) split their lives between part-time work and part-time parenting.

What has been your experience as a working mom? Sound off in the comment section below.

Kristin McCann is a working mom with two young girls. She strives to have fun, quality time with her family and a fulfilling professional career — even though many believe the two to be mutually exclusive.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/04/becoming-a-working-mom-one-womans-experience/feed/0Becoming A Stay-At-Home Mom — One Woman’s Experiencehttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/04/becoming-a-stay-at-home-mom-one-womans-experience/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/04/becoming-a-stay-at-home-mom-one-womans-experience/#respondFri, 04 May 2012 23:47:37 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=172381What's it like to be a stay-at-home mom? Read about one woman's experience leaving the working world for full-time family life.]]>

(Photo Credit: Kate Love Photography)

The moment I saw that little positive sign on the pregnancy test, I knew my whole life was about to change… and I was excited. I was one of those little girls who, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, always answered “a mommy.” Even through all my years of hard work earning a bachelors degree, I always knew that when I got pregnant, I would put my career on hold for several years. Despite trading in my diploma for my carpool license, I still use my education. It has proved invaluable as I mold the little minds and hearts of my children.

Leaving the workforce to become a stay-at-home mom fulfilled my dreams in many ways, but it certainly presented many challenges, tears and burdens too. The first few months after my first son was born, I found myself feeling lonely and isolated. This was — and continues to be — my biggest struggle since leaving the workforce. The problem is not the lack of people around (there is almost always someone pulling at your leg, sneezing in your hair or screaming for toilet-related assistance). What I miss is the adult interaction and camaraderie that comes with working alongside your peers and friends. Thankfully the tech-savvy mom with a smartphone is only a finger swipe away from Facebook or a mom blog. Given the technology lifeline, it’s no surprise that the mommy blogger phenomenon has made such a profound footprint on the Internet.

Aside from the often unfulfilled need of daily adult interaction, there are also plenty of financial strains that come with being a single-income household. We gave up simple luxuries like Target shopping sprees and eating out. But the constant budget manipulation to make ends meet sometimes takes its toll.

(Photo Credit: Kate Love Photography)

Although we bring in less money than we would had I continued working, we also save thousands of dollars elsewhere. We don’t have to worry about childcare expenses or all the hidden costs that come with working (gas, car repairs, business clothes). Staying home also lets me devote time to money-saving practices, such as cloth diapering and making my own baby food. Overall, we are happy to live on a tighter budget in order to make our situation work.

Staying home gives me such a freedom in all my roles as a wife, mom, friend, etc. Without the fatigue and stress from long work days, I feel more mentally and physically able to be creative in how I spend days with my sons and evenings with my husband. This is totally a personality thing of course, because I have several friends who can work 40+ hours a week at work and be super mom, all before bedtime. But that’s just not me.

The most rewarding aspect of staying home with my kids is the unique effect I have on their lives. I love being their primary caretaker and influencer, being there for every first. I get to enlighten each curiosity and temper each misbehavior. It get to mold them. It is just so precious to see their little characters, brains and hearts take shape. I love my full-time job as stay-at-home mom. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

What has been your experience as a stay-at-home mom? Sound off in the comment section below.

Lauren Kimmel is the Founder of Dallas Moms Blog, a great resource for moms looking to connect to other moms, learn and laugh about motherhood, and discover all that Dallas has to offer families. She finds joy in her roles as a wife to a musician and mother to two little boys.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/04/becoming-a-stay-at-home-mom-one-womans-experience/feed/0What Motherhood Means To Me – Real Moms Weigh Inhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/03/what-motherhood-means-to-me-real-moms-weigh-in/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/03/what-motherhood-means-to-me-real-moms-weigh-in/#respondThu, 03 May 2012 22:46:38 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=171885What is motherhood? There are as many answers as there are moms to give them. See what these moms have to say.]]>

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

How do moms feel about motherhood? There are as many answers as there are moms to give them. Motherhood is a fulltime — and a lifetime — job. It’s fun and difficult, rewarding and trying, beautiful and terrifying… often at the same time. The list of adjectives goes on and on. And every woman’s experience is unique.

Mother’s Day is a great time for real moms to weigh in on motherhood. So let’s see what these moms have to say about it.

(Photo Credit: Nicole Dali)

Nicole Dali

Catonsville, MD

My mom was my inspiration to become one myself. She always put my sister and me before anything else and made sure that nothing harmed us and that we knew we were loved, no matter what. I knew I wanted to have that bond with my own children. I am the mother of two very sweet and spirited boys. I love them with all my heart, even when fighting with our five-year-old about everything from getting out of bed, to going to bed. But, these things are forgiven when hearing “I love you” in my native German, or “Mommy, you are BEAUTIFUL!” when getting ready for a nice dinner. And with our four-month-old son, all the sleepless nights and crying spells are forgotten when he gives me his biggest smile and cutest giggle. I feel like the mom I wanted to be when I get these small returns of love from my boys.

(Photo Credit: Sara Gibson)

Sara Gibson

Washington, DC

Recently, my daughter didn’t want my help going down the big slide at the playground. It was a first. I fretted. I imagined all the things that could happen to her on the slide if I wasn’t there. I wanted to go with her anyways to keep her safe. But I stopped myself. It was hard, but I knew she was ready to do this on her own. I let go. I took a step back. I watched proudly as she walked up the stairs, my own heart beating loudly. When she successfully came down and announced “I did it!” I beamed. I also exhaled.

For me, to be a mother is to constantly walk a tightrope, balancing the need and desire to protect my daughter from the hurt of the world with the obligation to let her go at the right time so she can thrive.

(Photo Credit: Jennifer Scarpati)

Jennifer Scarpati

Old Greenwich, CT

As I enter my son Jesse’s third week of life, motherhood signifies to me that sense of amazement I’d lost long ago, but regained this year. My husband and I had always been on the fence about having children. Last June, we went to freeze my eggs in an effort to keep our options open. After preliminary tests, I was told last July that I am completely sterile. I was devastated. Strange but true: we somehow conceived Jesse that same month, and we’re still reeling from shock. Although I’ll never understand these events, I now believe that we were meant to have this miracle baby with chubby cheeks and thick hair. I’ve become cynical over the years, and I’d lost my ability to be amazed. When told I was sterile, I see now that I abandoned all hope too quickly, and that some always remains. Jesse is an excellent teacher, and I’ve learned from him already.

(Photo Credit: Doreen Katz)

Doreen Katz

Shaker Heights, OH

“Stop! Put that down. No hitting. We don’t eat toothpaste. That’s enough TV. Get off your brother’s head! It’s time to eat. Broccoli does taste good. No throwing. Use your napkin. No! What are you doing? The toilet brush is yucky! I love this picture — is that Batman fighting a dinosaur? Awesome! Time for bath. No splashing. I said ‘No splashing.’ I’m going to count to three — 1, 2 . . . don’t you want a bedtime story? Okay, then stop it. It’s time to say goodnight. What was your favorite part about today? I loved playing Candy Land with you too. Give me kisses. I’m only going to sing the Thomas song one time. Okay, one more time. I love you. Good night. Sweet dreams. Yes, you can go pee. Okay, one more hug. Good night. Get back in bed!”

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/03/what-motherhood-means-to-me-real-moms-weigh-in/feed/0The History Of Mother’s Dayhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/02/the-history-of-mothers-day/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/02/the-history-of-mothers-day/#respondThu, 03 May 2012 01:16:18 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=172201Mother's Day is all about breakfast in bed, handmade gifts and fresh flowers. But how did this holiday get its start?]]>

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

For most moms, the second Sunday in May is all about breakfast in bed, handmade gifts and fresh flowers. But Mother’s Day has its roots in ancient Egyptian and Roman pagan celebrations. It got its start in the US nearly a century and a half ago as a day that brought mothers together in peace against war. Only later did it become the holiday we know and love today.

Egyptian Goddess Isis (Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Celebrating mothers goes all the way back to the Ancient Egyptians, who celebrated Isis, the mother of all pharaohs, in an annual festival. According to the legend, Isis became a mother when she impregnated herself by reassembling her dead husband’s body and implanting it within her womb.

The Ancient Romans celebrated Cyblele, a.k.a. Magna Mater (Great Mother) with parades and races, on April 10th. Extreme worshipers of Cybele took part in a special ceremony known as the taurobolium, which involved being drenched in the blood of a sacrificed bull.

England celebrates Mothering Sunday on the Laetare Sunday, a practice that historians believe originates from the 16th century Christian tradition of visiting your church of origin. On that fourth Sunday of Lent, housemaids, servants and apprentices would have visited not only their mother church, but also their mothers.

Social activist and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe, distressed by the casualties of the Civil War, was the first to call for an official Mother’s Day in the United States. In her Mother’s Day Proclamation of 1870, she urged mothers to band together in peace and opposition to war: “Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.” A noted pacifist and suffragist, Howe is also the author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Her own mother had died after giving birth to her seventh child.

It wasn’t until 1914 that Mother’s Day was proclaimed an official holiday by President Woodrow Wilson, thanks to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, who hoped to honor the social activism of her own dear mother. The elder Jarvis had founded Mothers’ Day Work Clubs that raised money to supply medicine for the sick, provided home help for mothers suffering from tuberculosis, and volunteered to nurse wounded Union and Confederate soldiers with neutrality.

Later, Anna Jarvis, disappointed that Mother’s Day had become a “Hallmark” holiday and nothing more, protested the holiday that she had created. “I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit… A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world,” Jarvis explained. “And candy! You take a box to your Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment!”

Anna Jarvis’s protests consumed her life. She took to the courts to stop a Mother’s Day event in 1923. She went to jail for rallying against the sale of flowers (white carnations had become a popular symbol of the holiday) at an American War Mothers event a decade later. The driven dissident even fought to copyright the term “Mother’s Day” and had her mother’s image removed from a Mother’s Day-themed postage stamp. But Mother’s Day continued to grow in popularity. Anna Jarvis spent her considerable inheritance in this losing battle, never marrying or having children. She died in 1948, blind, penniless and alone.

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

These days Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world with flowers and sweets. In Japan, Mother’s Day originally honored mothers who had lost children at war. Today, Japanese children give their mothers carnations to celebrate their love. In France, children traditionally make their mother a flower-shaped cake. In the United Kingdom, children bake their mothers a fruitcake and present her with a bouquet of daffodils.

Let us know how you celebrate Mother’s Day in the comment section below.

Amy Bizzarri is a Chicago-based writer and mom of two kids. You’ll also find her at tiramisumom.com.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/02/the-history-of-mothers-day/feed/0Mother’s Day Gift Guide, Online And For All Budgetshttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/mothers-day-gift-guide-online-and-for-all-budgets/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/mothers-day-gift-guide-online-and-for-all-budgets/#respondWed, 02 May 2012 00:12:18 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=170684Spend Mother’s Day appreciating mom, but don’t forget the gift! Check out this online gift guide for options to make her holiday unforgettable.]]>

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

All year, mothers make their children breakfast, forward (hilarious) spammy emails, help translate tax returns, teach proper dinner party etiquette and lead the never-ending quest for a perfect roast chicken. Or maybe that’s just my mom. Regardless, mothers work tirelessly every day making their kids’ lives a little better.

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your mom how much you care. So spend the day appreciating her. And don’t forget a gift! Whether you simply put a fun spin on breakfast in bed or splurge on something pricey, these ideas will make make mom’s day.

It’s The Thought (Under $25)

After bills and that unexpected parking ticket, spending on a present can hit the wallet pretty hard. We’ve all been there, no need to worry. With a little extra research, you can find presents to give mom a fun day or last her well past Mother’s Day.

For the gift of a relaxing spa experience without springing for the all-day package, just think outside the box. Etsy shop Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary makes charming soaps fashioned after various treats. Consider the cinnamon bun soaps for $6.25; the sweet scent will add a little luxury to mom’s next hot bath. This Etsy shop also carries macaron and popsicle soaps, lip scrubs and lotions — all for less than $10.

Breakfast in bed is a Mother’s Day go-to for youngsters looking to impress mom with their toast-making and coffee-pouring skills. Now that you’re older, update the classic breakfast in bed with McClure’s Bloody Mary Mix. McClure’s, a Detroit and Brooklyn-based pickle company, makes the mix with its spicy pickle brine and heaps of garlic, hot peppers, dill and fresh cucumber juice. Order her a 32-ounce batch online for just $10.50.

For a useful present with longevity, choose the Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker for $19.77. The sleek design and ease of use will make this stovetop maker a family favorite for years. Throw the Moka on the stove with some fresh espresso grinds for classic espresso in minutes. Curl up on the couch and catch up with mom as you enjoy your morning boost of caffeine.

Or, give mom something she probably wishes she had all along: a “No” button! The Spoon Sisters‘ big red button emits ten different variations of the word we heard all too much growing up. Grab this silly gift for just $11.95.

Spend A Little More ($100 Or Less)

A larger budget lends itself to presents with lasting sentimentality. Jewelry is a classic go-to, while a present speaking to your mom’s hobbies will create new memories.

Jewelry never fails to impress. Personalize it, and you’ve struck gold — or silver. Uncommon Goods offers a Mother Nestling Birds Necklace in recycled sterling silver. The necklace models silver birds — a “momma bird” and one for each child — perched on a branch. It’s a delicate choice, and ensures your family will always stay close to your mother’s heart. Price varies from $70.00 – $79.00, depending on how many birds.

If mom has a green thumb, or is looking for a new hobby, give her a garden in a basket. Red Envelope offers a Gardener’s Delight Gift Basket, $59.99, filled with handy gardening necessities and a few extra goodies. The useful gardening tote, rake and mini trowels are packed next to English tea cookies, peach tea bags and rosemary hand wash. Pick up a few flower, herb or vegetable seed packets for a buck or two each, and you’ve given your mother a full garden… snack break included.

The Sky’s The Limit (Over $100)

Options abound, if you’re really looking to really spoil mom. Give her a taste of glamour with the Signature Spade Leather Lacey wallet from Kate Spade, at $218. The classic shape, cushioned texture and sophisticated gold-plated hardware pair well with the fresh pop of color — available in “Adriatic blue” or “flame red.” She’ll think of Mother’s Day each time she opens this clutch.

Invite the whole family for this gift. The Williams Sonoma Wicker Picnic Basket, $349, is jam-packed with picnic necessities. From handblown wineglasses and porcelain plates to a fleece blanket for spreading across the grass, this basket has everything for a delightful spring outing. Invite each relative to bring one dish and enjoy the holiday picnicking together.

Instead of a boring calendar, get your mother something she can hang proudly in her home. A customized family tree is both a beautiful decoration and an insightful look into the family’s past. Custom Family Tree Art fine-tunes this beautiful wall art to your specifications. Choose the number of generations to include and how the tree should be presented. Prices vary according to your choices, but the 20″ X 24″ size starts at $145.

Adrienne Smith is an Associate Producer for CBS Local. She loves all things ‘cheesy,’ and has made a pizza app for that. Follow her on Twitter here.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/mothers-day-gift-guide-online-and-for-all-budgets/feed/0Super Moms In The Movieshttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/super-moms-in-the-movies/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/super-moms-in-the-movies/#respondTue, 01 May 2012 23:40:08 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=170598It's hard enough to raise a kid these days. Check out these movie moms who also manage to save the world.]]>

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Strong female characters in movies have come a long way, but there are still some things that we just don’t see very often. A young heroine can be thoughtful, fight crime or both, but she’s usually single, or at the very least childless. The mothers and grandmothers usually just get to be thoughtful, go soul-searching or get rescued. It’s the rare female character who performs the impossible task of saving the world AND raising a kid — as if both of them weren’t feats of heroism already! In honor of Mother’s Day, we take a look at movie moms who get it done.

(Photo Credit: Walt Disney Home Entertainment)

Helen Parr (Elastigirl) – The Incredibles

Pixar has received some flack in the past for not making movies with a female lead. But they definitely didn’t make Helen Parr, the supermom in The Incredibles, anything less than amazing. While raising three kids and fighting to keep a marriage together, Helen does detective work and pulls off a daring rescue. And all the while, she keeps her fingers crossed that the babysitter knows what she’s doing.

(Photo Credit: Live / Artisan)

Sarah Connor – Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Poor Sarah Connor has a rough start in Terminator 2. Committed to an asylum, she is thought to be crazy, even by her son. All she was trying to do was stop the evil computer network that would eventually try to kill him — hardly helicopter parenting! Once she’s finally out and the Terminators start appearing, this mom fights tooth and nail for her son (even when he’s kind of a brat).

(Photo Credit: Miramax)

The Bride – Kill Bill

It’s safe to say that Uma Thurman played one of the most powerful women on screen in cinema history. If you haven’t seen Kill Bill: Volume 1and 2, you might want to skip ahead right here. If you have or don’t mind plot spoilers, then it’s safe to say that it was all just for vengeance… at first. Beatrix Kiddo (The Bride) only found out about her child as she was preparing to get her final revenge — which just happened to be against her baby’s father. Sometimes, love is complicated…

(Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox)

Ellen Ripley – Aliens

Lieutenant Ellen Ripley, in Aliens, may not be the biological mother of the young girl she encounters on LV-426. But that doesn’t stop her maternal instincts from kicking into overdrive when young Newt is the last survivor of the doomed space colony. And Sigourney Weaver’s rescue of the girl — along with her exo-suit fight with the Alien Queen — is one of the most powerful scenes of maternal love you’ll ever see in a mainstream science fiction movie, or any movie, period.

Your Mom

Everyone’s mom is unique. But there’s a pretty good chance she sacrificed more than you can even dream of to bring you into this world and keep you here. Maybe she didn’t use a rocket launcher or karate chop anyone (although she could have!), but rest assured she performed plenty of other feats of superhuman strength and will. The very least you can do is give her some of your love on Mother’s Day.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/super-moms-in-the-movies/feed/0Mother’s Day Recipes For Breakfast In Bedhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/mothers-day-recipes-for-breakfast-in-bed/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/mothers-day-recipes-for-breakfast-in-bed/#respondTue, 01 May 2012 20:38:25 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=170028Mom shouldn't have to make breakfast on Mother's Day. Here are few recipe ideas to make her breakfast in bed.]]>

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Mom shouldn’t have to make breakfast for everyone, or anyone, on Mother’s Day. This is her special day to be treated like a queen. She should be served breakfast in bed, though it may actually be brunch by the time she wakes up. Someone has to create the menu and prepare the food.

Here are a few recipes to help you help that #1 Mom start her day off right.

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Yogurt Parfait with Granola and Blueberries

A yogurt parfait is super easy and super delicious. And if mom isn’t much on breakfast, this simple treat may actually be enough.

Spinach and Cheese Strata

A strata is a casserole, though the name sounds a lot more elegant. The beauty of this recipe, apart from being delicious, is that you have to make it the night before. And that frees up your morning! This recipe serves about nine people, so there will be leftovers for dinner.

Alma Schneider is a licensed Clinical Social Worker helping individuals overcome their psychological and practical obstacles to cooking and parenting on her blog and consulting business, Take Back the Kitchen. She is a native New Yorker transplanted to the suburbs with her husband, four children and loving yet stubborn Beagle Shiloh.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/mothers-day-recipes-for-breakfast-in-bed/feed/0Special Activities For Mom On Mother’s Dayhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/special-activities-for-mom-on-mothers-day/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/special-activities-for-mom-on-mothers-day/#respondTue, 01 May 2012 19:03:03 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=170624Mother's Day is coming, which means it's time for Mother's Day planning. These simple Mom activities will make her day special. ]]>

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

May has arrived. The showers are gone; the flowers are in bloom. And Mother’s Day is just days away. For many, the excitement or anxiety has already begun.

How do I make Mother’s Day meaningful, fun and stress-free for the special Mother in my life?

Let’s note, before we go any further, that many Mother’s Day planners have multiple Mother’s Days to plan, perhaps for their own mother or step-mother in addition to their wife or girlfriend. Take a moment to figure out who needs the most adulation on this loaded holiday… the Main Mom. A card or flowers should suffice for the others.

The first step is, and I do believe I speak for the majority of moms out there, to get a sense of what the Mom wants/needs for her special day. For example, a day spent with the kids at an amusement park may seem like it would rock her world. But what if she really wants to just be alone, getting pampered at a spa, as far from the kids as possible? Many Moms like to split the day between family and stress-free relaxation. Get a sense of her expectations (ask her!) before planning.

With that information in mind, here are some activities for her special day:

Allow Mom to sleep as late as possible. This is very important! She probably hasn’t slept past 7:00 a.m. since her birthday or Mother’s Day last year. This may require some early morning diaper duty; this may involve some advanced kid wrangling. Taking the little ones out of the house entirely is probably the best way to let her sleep undisturbed. Mom should not be grumpy, tired or resentful that she still had to wake up early on her special day. She deserves to sleep. Let her!

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Make her breakfast in bed (or elsewhere) once she’s awake. The kids can help make the food, fold the napkin or carry in the silverware. Let them do anything that won’t result in an accident or spill.

Allow Mom to relax after breakfast. She may like to watch TV, read or shower at her leisure. This is the perfect time to prepare the Mom coupons, or the kids’ presentation of the Mom coupons. Of course, her favorite flowers would complement this gift nicely.

You did make Mom coupons, right? This coupon book gives her separate coupons for hugs, foot massages, a day without whining, a night off from making dinner. It’s these small, everyday treats that mean so much throughout the year. And coupons are an easy way for her to ask for what she needs. Get as specific as possible, given her personality. The kids may have some imaginative ideas as well.

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Individual quality time with each of the children comes next. She can get a pedicure with one kid and then going to get a special snack treat with another. These excursions should be fun and fairly quick so there’s little room for boredom or tantrums. These one-on-one outings can become the basis of a special Mother’s Day tradition with memories Mom and the kids can cherish and look forward to every year.

While Mom is out, you can get her car cleaned, shop for the next week, straighten up the house or accomplish some other chore that would make her life a little easier.

Alma Schneider is a licensed Clinical Social Worker helping individuals overcome their psychological and practical obstacles to cooking and parenting on her blog and consulting business, Take Back the Kitchen. She is a native New Yorker transplanted to the suburbs with her husband, four children and loving yet stubborn Beagle Shiloh.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/special-activities-for-mom-on-mothers-day/feed/0Cool Gadgets For Momshttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/cool-gadgets-for-moms/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/cool-gadgets-for-moms/#respondTue, 01 May 2012 18:02:19 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=170652Want to get mom something different this Mother's Day? Check out these cool gadgets for moms on the edge and on the go.]]>

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

With Mother’s Day approaching, it’s time to think about gifts for those special moms in your life. Cards and flowers may be traditional, but moms today aren’t. Get her a cool gadget that will fit her lifestyle, in touch and on the go. With so much to choose from in various price ranges, you can’t really go wrong.

It’s The Thought (Under $50)

Who says you have to spend a fortune to make mom happy? The eMatic eSport Clip,$24.98, is a great multi-use gadget to cover mom’s basic media needs. This handy device can play music, take pictures, record video, read text files and even record voice memos. All that comes in a sporty little package with a low price. What’s not to love?

The Coby Digital Photo Keychain, $10.99, can hold all of mom’s most precious memories wherever she goes. She’ll be extra surprised when she discovers all the pictures you’ve uploaded ahead of time.

The Bracketron Universal USB Power Dock for $29.95 will give a charge to the woman on-the-go. Mom can power up her smartphone and enjoy hands-free access while she carts the kids around or drives to her next business meeting.

Spend A Little More (Under $150)

Maybe you can stretch your budget a little more for the super-athletic mom on your list. The Finis Hydro Tracker GPS, $129.99, can help her with her open-water swimming workout. This multi-function wristwatch captures the course and performance date of the user. She can evaluate her post-swim statistical report and share it (read: show off) via social media.

Let’s face it, moms have a lot going on. And sometimes they lose things. The Treehouse Labs Bikn, $129.99, helps mom find all that stuff that gets misplaced during the course of a day. Here’s how it works. She places small tags on her keys, purse or anything that might get lost. These tags are wirelessly connected to a special iPhone case that can locate them — and the tagged object — with the click of a button. Mom will never have to worry about losing her keys again!

Lastly, The Audio-Technica ATH-CP500i In-Ear Headphones, $64. These amazing headphones will stay in place no matter what mom is doing.

The Sky’s The Limit (Over $150)

You only have one mom. So why not go a little crazy? These gifts will put a dent in your wallet, but mom will thank you for it. The Grace Digital Mondo Wi-Fi Music Player, $179, is the alarm clock revolutionized. Of course it connects to your favorite local radio stations, like CBS. But with the help of Wi-Fi, this device can also connect to mom’s favorite online stations, like Pandora or iHeartRadio. She can even wake up to them, and listen while eating the breakfast in bed you’ve prepared.

New moms probably won’t have the luxury of a leisurely meal. But the Withings Smart Baby Monitor, $229, will at least provide a little peace of mind. This handy device can connect to any Wi-Fi-enabled device for easy access to her precious little one. Mom will always have a front-row seat to see and even speak to her baby. And if that isn’t enough, this awesome gadget also lets her monitor the temperature and humidity of the baby’s surroundings, sending alerts if certain conditions aren’t met.

The PlanOn System Solutions ScanStik, $159.99, will get mom organized in a hurry. She can use it to copy a receipt, an important document or a page from a magazine… in seconds. Later, she can load all her scanned docs right to her computer. Say ‘goodbye’ to the big messy mom purse.

Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology, gadget and lifestyle writer based on the West Coast.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/05/01/cool-gadgets-for-moms/feed/0Expert Advice Lures Gardeners To Denver Botanic Gardens Salehttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/06/expert-advice-lures-gardeners-to-denver-botanic-gardens-sale/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/06/expert-advice-lures-gardeners-to-denver-botanic-gardens-sale/#commentsFri, 06 May 2011 19:46:14 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=72742Mother's Day Weekend is the traditional start to the planting season in Colorado. For many gardeners, that means a trip to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the Annual Plant Sale.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – Mother’s Day Weekend is the traditional start to the planting season in Colorado. For many gardeners, that means a trip to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the Annual Plant Sale.

The Garden will sell about 85,000 plants in just two days. It’s a tradition that has lured gardeners to central Denver for the past 62 years.

“We have lots of people who come here simply because they want to get that last minute Mother’s Day gift,” explained Will Jones, the public relations manager for Denver Botanic Gardens. “We have other people who come here simply because this is their chance to get all of the best plants for the Rocky Mountain region for their gardens.”

Plenty of people were lined up early Friday morning to be the first through the gates to their hands on just the perfect plant.

“It’s kind of like a concert atmosphere, people want to get here so they can get the best selection,” Jones said. “Even though we have 85,000 plants, that’s all that we have so people try to get here early Friday so they can get the best selection.”

But he said it’s more than just the plants that attract the gardens. “One of the main reasons people come to plant sale is not because of the wide variety we have, it’s because they get expert advice.”

“Not only are our experts here and the hundreds of volunteers that work here to keep our gardens looking great year after year,” Jones said, “we also have the industry experts who are here selling the plants. They can answer any question you have about the plants that you are buying or any of the plants that you may have at home.

The Saturday of this year’s sale falls on National Public Gardens Day, that’s a day to raise awareness about the role public gardens play to communities.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/06/expert-advice-lures-gardeners-to-denver-botanic-gardens-sale/feed/1Money $aver: Get Money’s Worth On Mother’s Day Flowershttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/04/money-aver-get-moneys-worth-on-mothers-day-flowers/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/04/money-aver-get-moneys-worth-on-mothers-day-flowers/#commentsThu, 05 May 2011 02:13:52 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=72358Mother’s Day is coming. Lots of people will be ordering flowers, so CBS4 decided to order a bouquet from three different places to see what they cost, and what was received.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – Mother’s Day is coming. Lots of people will be ordering flowers, so CBS4 decided to order a bouquet from three different places to see what they cost, and what was received.

Lale Floral Design sent a beautiful arrangement with tulips and other unusual flowers. The bouquet was delivered one day after the call. They came in a vase with greens included. The cost was $38.77.

1-800 Flowers sent 15 long-stemmed tulips. The bouquet was also delivered one day after the call and cost a total of $46.30. The bouquet came in a box with no vase. The tulips were fresh and colorful.

King Soopers delivered 15 short-stemmed tulips, which appeared to be wilted. The bouquet took two days to arrive and cost $68.17. We called King Soopers and complained about the flowers. It took us several phone calls before reaching someone who offered to send out another bouquet. It arrived drooping and wilting as well.

I was about 11 years old when my folks took me with them to work at our church sale. I had about 2 hours to dig through all the goodies in the Friendship Room. It was a bounty like I’d never imagined. I had my purse in tow filled with about $3 in change. Lucky for me, at the end of the day, the fill-a-bag special was for … you guessed it … $3 a bag. I went home with shoes, purses, jewelry, books, records and dolls. Thus started my affection for garage sales.

After many years of garage sale shopping, “salers” develop a kind of radar. We can drive buy, scan a sale, and decide if it’s up our alley. If you’re just starting out, I recommend neighborhood sales. You can do an Internet search for a neighborhood name, then “community garage sale” and see what comes up.

When I moved into our neighborhood I asked where the best community sales are. Most areas have several. You should be able to get dates by doing a search, asking around, and checking the paper or Craigslist. Neighborhood sales can help you save gas because they provide one-stop shopping. You can also check the paper or Craigslist for sales that have items for which you’re looking.

It’s extremely time consuming to stop and start at every sale. So make a list of your most desired items. Let’s say — toys, books, glass wear and furniture. As you drive by, do a spot check for items that roughly fit the description. If you see something in a category on your list, it may be worth it to stop.

Haggling is a tricky topic. I don’t like to haggle much, so if an item is marked with a price I think is reasonable, I’ll usually take it. If the item’s overpriced (this often happens with parents who have their kids mark their own items — they’re either 10 cents or $10 — then I’ll politely ask, “Would you consider taking $X for this?” Or if I’m buying multiple items, I might come up with a round number that’s slightly less than the total and ask, “Would you take $X for this whole stack?” Usually, people just want to get rid of as much as possible. However, it’s much more difficult to haggle early in the morning when the sale has just started. You might go back later in the day or just start your hunt a little later to get the best prices. It depends on whether price or selection is your top priority.

When my kids were really little I would fill my car at our neighborhood sale. Ride-on toys, Barbie clothes, Hot Wheels, puzzles, books, games, and gently worn shoes and clothes are excellent things to buy for little ones. They grow out of things so quickly; you really can save money by buying at garage sales.

Some of my personal all-time favorite garage sale bargains:

Stuart Weitzman pumps for $5

HUGE box of about 30 Lego sets for $10

Books — I like to buy children’s books by the box, and then I sort through them and donate the ones we already have or don’t need. I once bought two big boxes of about 100 books for $2!

Nothing makes you feel better about what’s in your wallet than a really good garage sale! Let me know about your favorite finds in comments!

Still looking for last minute Mother’s Day ideas? Here’s a list of 10 Mother’s Day gift coupons from Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch:

Coldwater Creek
If you can find stylish apparel, chic accessories, and cozy home decor all in one shop, then you’re sure to make mom proud this Mother’s Day. Shop Coldwater Creek for the perfect gift and receive free shipping plus 25 percent off your order with coupon code AFLC451.

1-800-Flowers
You can never go wrong with a bouquet of flowers. This Mother’s Day 1-800-Flowers is offering free shipping and no service charge on their Mother’s Day Collection. Select from a gorgeous collection of Mother’s Day arrangements and gifts, and apply coupon code MDAY46 during checkout.

DSW
They say flowers are the way to a women’s heart, but be assured that a stellar pair of shoes can achieve the same outcome. This year let mom pick out a fabulous pair of shoes with a DSW gift card and receive a $10 bonus card with each purchase of a $50 gift card.

Teleflora
Teleflora can help you find mom’s favorite flowers and have them delivered right to her door. This year you can even receive 15 percent off your order by using coupon AFPX15 during checkout.

Sears
You can always rely on Sears to help you celebrate Mother’s Day in the finest fashion and save. Shower your mother with stunning jewelry and receive 20 percent off by applying the coupon code MOTHER20 during checkout.

Ann Taylor
At Ann Taylor find an additional 25 percent off sale styles with coupon code EXTRA25. Mom will love their classic and stylish apparel and accessories, and you can enjoy awesome savings.

Nine West
Nine West boasts a stylish collection of shoes, bags and accessories. Find chic accessories at Nine West for your stylish mom and receive free shipping on all orders.

Snapfish
Capture your favorite memory with mom this Mother’s Day and create the perfect photo gift. Use the coupon SHIPIT20 to receive free shipping on orders over $20.

FragranceX
FragranceX has an impressive collection of women’s fragrances, skincare and makeup so you’re sure to find mom something she’ll love. Use the coupon code FREE during checkout and receive free shipping on your order.

Kate Spade
If your mom loves nothing but stylishly chic and trendy fashions Kate Spade is the place to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Right now receive free shipping on all orders plus $50 off orders of $250 or more with coupon YOCSP11.

– In her Brooke’s Bargains blog Brooke Wagner writes about finding bargains and saving money for her family. She calls it one of her favorite hobbies. Blog entries cover everything from the latest steals, deals, and freebies to cheap family activities, saving for college, and what to buy right now.

]]>http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/04/brookes-bargains-garage-sale-buys-coupons-for-mom/feed/0Brooke’s Bargains: Mother’s Day Deals And Freebieshttp://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/03/brookes-bargains-mother%e2%80%99s-day-deals-and-freebies/
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/05/03/brookes-bargains-mother%e2%80%99s-day-deals-and-freebies/#respondTue, 03 May 2011 20:42:44 +0000Mother’s Day – CBS Denverhttp://denver.cbslocal.com/?p=71915Mother’s Day kind of snuck up on us this year! It sounds like it should be a beautiful weekend, so celebrate with some deals.]]>DENVER (CBS4) – Mother’s Day kind of snuck up on us this year! It sounds like it should be a beautiful weekend, so celebrate with some deals.

Making last-minute Mother’s Day plans? Check out Open Table for some of the best brunch and dinner specials for mom:

May 8th is Mother’s Day. There’s not as much pressure for my poor husband to make it special (such as on my birthday), but there’s some pressure nonetheless. It has taken 10 years of being a mom but I have finally eased into a comfortable Mother’s Day that the whole family can enjoy. I will admit, I feel a bit entitled on Mother’s Day, but four kids can do that to a person.

When my first child was born, I was almost embarrassed that I would be “celebrated” since Mother’s Day had always been a holiday for my own mother. It made me feel silly, like I was pretending to be a grown up (even though I was practically middle-aged at the time). That first year when my baby was ten months old, my husband put me up in a hotel room with another new mom friend, and I got a full night of glorious, much needed sleep. That was all I really wanted.

As the years went by, and with every additional baby, a hotel room extravaganza was no longer acceptable since there was so much grueling work to be done. Flowers did not quite cut it either, especially when I saw my friends getting expensive bracelets. I am not a jewelry kind of gal but I did feel I should be treated like a queen. After all, wasn’t I working my fingers to the bone with kid laundry, dishes and dirty diapers?

There were a few years of Mother’s Days where I would go out by myself and get a massage or a facial. But then I would feel that it just wasn’t right to not be with my own kids (who now had little personalities and brains) on Mother’s Day. The feeling was fleeting, however, as the desire to be with them soon turned to the dread of returning to the chaos of life with young children. There was also the accompanying guilt that not wanting to be with them was, well, not very maternal. If I wasn’t maternal, maybe I didn’t deserve to be celebrated at all. I was a sham of a mother!

It was only in the last few years, when motherly confidence and wisdom finally set in, did I realize what I (and many of my friends) really wanted for the big day: We wanted and needed a break. We wanted to be appreciated. We also wanted to be with the children, but just not our children. You see, we wanted to be with the idealized children we imagined in our pre-parent lives. We wanted to be with the sweet, polite, un-booger-nosed, fresh-out-of-the-bath-smelling, silken-hair brushed children who give us hugs and kisses without us asking for them. We wanted the children who did what we asked immediately—with smiles on their faces.

We seasoned moms know this is not realistic and that’s all right. Feeling okay with not having the perfect dynamics with our kids is what makes us so perfectly maternal and deserving of a celebration on Mother’s Day.

When I asked one mom what she wanted for her big day, she summed it up for us:

“My kids take some magical drink that makes them sleep for 18 hours (at least). This drink is obviously non-harmful. I then stay in my pajamas guilt-free for most of the day while being able to occasionally gaze upon my beautiful, quiet, SLEEPING children at my leisure. Everyone is safe and happy and warm at home. I read a book whenever I want, or watch a great movie in broad daylight.”

If we cannot have those treats for Mother’s Day, however, we will happily accept that weekend away at Canyon Ranch.

Alma Schneider is a licensed Clinical Social Worker helping individuals overcome their psychological and practical obstacles to cooking and parenting on her blog and consulting business, Take Back the Kitchen. She is a native New Yorker transplanted to the suburbs with her husband, four children and loving yet stubborn Beagle Shiloh.